Chapter 362

Chapter 362

The Changchun Hotel is a chain with locations both domestically and internationally, unlike a standalone landmark like the Hong Kong Grand Hotel.

Thus, although the Changchun Grand Hotel belongs to the Changchun Group, with the group's diversified development, Xie Junhao and Xie Junyao no longer oversee the hotel's management and operations. Their showing up together had the general manager on edge, worried he’d messed up somewhere.

The general manager, surnamed Yao and named Yao Bin, is about the same age as Xie Junyao. A graduate of a prestigious overseas university, he comes from a middle-class family and possesses strong capabilities. With a stern face and graying sideburns, he looks much older than Xie Junyao.

Upon learning the reason for the Xie brothers' visit, he relaxed inwardly while mentally rolling his eyes.

This young lady really does whatever pops into her head.

Hong Kong’s cramped, crowded, and complicated—since when is business a walk in the park?

However, she’s got Xie Junyao and Xie Junhao wrapped around her finger, not to mention her vast personal wealth. Naturally, she does as she pleases.

Kept youthful, her skin is smooth, glowing.

Her features are breathtaking.

A light blue cheongsam hugged her curves perfectly, giving her an air of refined grace. Her smiling, starry eyes twinkled like the night sky.

With bright eyes and a natural charm, you’d never guess she was a married woman in her thirties.

Holding her father's arm, she flirted with her husband with a wink, her dimples utterly disarming.

Xie Junyao couldn’t help but smile.

Clutching a bouquet of nine roses—fresh, fragrant, and dotted with dew—he looked even more handsome.

His roguish charm hadn’t faded a bit.

"For you, love," he said, placing the flowers directly into Lu Mingzhu's arms.

"Thank you, sweetheart!" Lu Mingzhu was overjoyed.

Her smile lit up the room.

Soon, the couple lagged behind, whispering sweet nothings.

As for Xie Junhao, he was busy playing host to the two older men, Lu Mingzhu's father and He Yun. By the end of the visit, however, he noticed his brother and sister-in-law weren’t paying much attention.

He shot his brother a glare.

Xie Junyao pretended not to see it.

"Running all that would be a nightmare," Lu Mingzhu murmured to Xie Junyao.

She felt she was born to lounge around.

Alas, her father wouldn’t allow it.

Xie Junyao clasped her soft, delicate hand and nodded in agreement. "Understanding the various businesses is enough. Management is best left to professionals."

He didn’t want to work either.

Being away from his wife and daughter for a year almost killed him.

Abroad, every day felt like a year.

He Yun wore a faint smile on his lips. Though his temples were graying and he had entered his twilight years, he was never one to mince words. "Mingzhu, come over and listen to what Da Xie has to say. He has been involved in the hotel industry for many years and possesses experience that most people lack. Once you've learned, your father and I will bankroll a hotel for you to manage entirely on your own."

"Coming, coming!" Lu Mingzhu hurried forward.

Upon reaching them, she said, "Learning is fine, but opening a hotel is a hard pass."

Seeing her charming and sweet demeanor, Xie Junhao's stern and resolute expression softened instantly. "If you truly don’t like it, don’t force yourself. I’ve got your back."

"Thank you, elder brother!" Lu Mingzhu was most grateful to have such an excellent big brother-in-law.

Simply the best.

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng frowned and interjected, "Da Xie, it took so much effort to persuade Mingzhu to learn business with us. Don’t enable her to back out again."

Xie Junhao, leading the way ahead, replied, "Uncle Lu, you worry too much. What if Mingzhu changes her mind?"

Lu Mingzhu shone brightest when carefree—why force her into something she disliked?

She wasn’t skilled in business, nor did she enjoy it. Her willingness to learn now was just to humor her elders, not because she had any interest in commerce.

Still, she was a diligent student.

At mealtime, everyone gathered to eat. Lu Mingzhu let out a long sigh as she took her seat.

At last, a breather.

Lu Changsheng looked helpless.

He Yun couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, taking a sip of wine before saying to Lu Changsheng, "It seems we brothers must take good care of ourselves and strive to live another twenty years."

"Another twenty years?" Lu Changsheng wouldn’t dare hope for that.

In Lu Mingzhu’s dream, his remaining lifespan was limited.

"I’m several years older than you, yet I dare to think it. Why can’t you?" He Yun felt his body was still robust, and Lu Changsheng was no less so.

Lu Changsheng chuckled, "One can wish for anything but longevity. Life and death are fated. Everyone desires immortality, yet no one achieves it—including you and me. So, when old age comes calling, answer. The future belongs to the young."

This was why he had initially agreed with He Yun’s proposal.

He couldn’t protect Lu Mingzhu forever. Lu Changsheng had his own descendants, and Lu Pingan had his own wife and children. Over time, even ironclad promises can rust.

After all, Mingzhu’s fortune was nothing to sneeze at.

If she relied entirely on her brothers and nephews, what if she got burned?

Lu Changsheng wasn’t just worried about Xie Junyao’s potential change of heart.

"You may accept old age, but I refuse to." He Yun was aging like fine wine, and his mindset matched. "If not for Mingzhu’s timely intervention, I would have died over a decade ago. I’ve been living on bonus time, and I intend to cherish it. My health regimen is quite effective—recently, several doctors, including Dr. Lin Ruzuo, remarked that I’m in better shape than most fifty-year-olds. Barring accidents, I’m built to last."

Lu Mingzhu wholeheartedly agreed. "Where there’s a will, if Dad maintains his disciplined lifestyle, he’ll match Godfather year for year!"

All her doing.

Giggle.

If not for her meddling, her father might still have been a playboy, showering outsiders with riches and running himself ragged in the process.

With sharp hearing, clear vision, and an upright posture.

No signs of indulgence.

He looks spry and clear-eyed.

Old Man Lu gave her the side-eye. "You're already a mother, yet you still talk such nonsense."

"Even if I live to be a hundred, I'll always be your daughter! In front of you, I'll forever be a child!" Mingzhu, with her youthful mindset, naturally remained radiant. "Listen to Uncle He—focus on your health in the future and don’t worry too much about us kids, like me."

She wasn’t the least bit concerned about her own future.

Why not just let things take their course?

She wasn't some helpless lamb.

Xie Junhao poured the drinks himself for He Yun and Mr. Lu. "You two really don’t need to worry so much. With me keeping an eye on Junyao, if he dares to do Mingzhu wrong, I’ll break his legs and disown him."

Xie Junyao bobbed his head enthusiastically. "Not just disowning me—make me walk away with just the shirt on my back."

The idea of walking away with just the shirt on his back was something he’d once heard Mingzhu mention.

He thought that was damn right.

Those who betray their family should walk away with just the shirt on their back.

Pity the law doesn't work that way.

Hearing Xie Junhao and Xie Junyao’s words, Mr. Lu waved his hand. "No need to go that far. We’ve all seen how well Junyao treats Mingzhu. We just want her to learn more while she’s young—nothing more."

Not that he'd ever admit what he really meant.

Xie Junhao smiled and dropped the subject, instead asking Mingzhu what she had learned that day.

Mingzhu made a face. "Do I have to say?"

Repeating it would just be a total snoozefest.

"You don’t have to." Xie Junhao knew she, like his brother, were all about kicking back. Fortunately, their family didn’t truly need them to struggle. "If you don’t want to talk about it, then don’t. Tomorrow, let Junyao show you around. He’s worked hard for nearly a year—I’m giving him a long break. Go wherever you want, just be safe."

When it came to his brother, he knew when to ease up.

Xie Junhao understood the importance of moderation.

Sure enough, Xie Junyao whooped. "Perfect! Mingzhu, I won’t have to work for a long time!"

Though middle-aged, his bouncy energy still carried that permanent twinkle of a troublemaker.

This quality, though not as restrained or steady, made him appear youthful, exuding an indescribable appeal.

"Congratulations!" Mingzhu smacked his palm, beaming, her eyes sparkling. "Tomorrow, let’s take a luxury cruise to Shanghai just for kicks."

They could still gallivant around now, but when the winds changed, it would be impossible.

Maybe in a year, maybe two or three.

Your guess was as good as mine.

"Still such a kid, following every passing fancy," Mr. Lu muttered.

He Yun smiled instead. "Children don’t need to be so serious. If Mingzhu wants to go, let her. The law and order on the mainland is far better than in Hong Kong, and we have good relations there. There’s nothing to fear."

Lu’s father couldn’t bring himself to say that the mainland was currently in the eerie calm before the storm.

He asked Lu Mingzhu, "Why are you going to Shanghai? I don’t see why you need to go."

His meaning was unmistakable.

He didn’t want Lu Mingzhu to take the risk.

Lu Mingzhu blinked. "Can’t I just follow a whim?"

"No." With history changing as it is, who knew if that turmoil might erupt earlier?

If the war could end ahead of time, the storm could hit sooner too.

He Yun didn’t quite understand Lu’s father’s objections. After some thought, he decided to side with him and said to Lu Mingzhu, "What’s so fun about Shanghai? You grew up there—you know it like the back of your hand. But you’re less familiar with Southeast Asia. You once mentioned wanting to visit. Why not accompany Xiao Xie and me to my estate for a few days? I fear there may not be another chance later."

"Didn’t you already divide the estate and give it to He Lan?" The division of assets hadn’t happened long ago, and Lu Mingzhu remembered it clearly.

He Yun countered, "Does that mean he can forbid me from staying there?"

He Lan wouldn’t have the nerve.

"Of course not." As long as He Yun was alive, He Lan wouldn’t change a single plant on the He estate.

"Then that’s settled." He Yun extended the invitation to Lu Mingzhu once more.

Lu Mingzhu looked up and exchanged a glance with Xie Junyao, who smiled warmly and said considerately, "Wherever you go, I’ll go with you."

Whether it was Shanghai or the He estate, he didn’t mind.

A sweet smile spread across Lu Mingzhu’s lips. "Then let’s visit the place where Dad used to live!"

To be honest, she was quite curious.

And this way, she wouldn’t have to learn about business!

She laughed to herself.

So, they boarded a lavish cruise liner and set off for Malaysia, the location of the He estate, leaving their young daughter in Xie Junhao’s care.

With nothing else to do, Lu Mingzhu's father tagged along.

But as soon as they disembarked, they were greeted by a surprise.

Or more accurately, a shock.